Fighter jets and bombers conduct joint flyover in uncommon display involving seven aircraft.
On May 24, 2025, an extraordinary spectacle unfolded over Miami Beach, Florida, as representatives from the entire USAF bomber fleet and a substantial portion of its fighter inventory took part in the Hyundai Air and Sea Show. The event marked the commencement of Memorial Day weekend in a memorable fashion.
Headlining the remarkable "V" formation was a B-2 stealth bomber, followed by B-52 and B-1 bombers, F-22, F-15C, and F-16 fighters, and an A-10 attack plane. According to Air Force Global Strike Command's Facebook post, this was the first time all three USAF bombers and four distinct fighter/attack aircraft joined forces in a breathtaking seven-ship formation.
Dubbed the "Freedom Formation," the display featured crews from the active-duty Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard. The F-16 Fighting Falcon hailed from the 93rd Fighter Squadron at nearby Homestead Air Reserve Base, while the F-15C Eagle originated from the Louisiana Air National Guard. The F-22 was manned by the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, who, incidentally, presented their own solo performance at the event. The B-2 Spirit came from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., and Moody Air Force Base, Ga., sent an A-10 Thunderbolt II to participate.
The B-52 Stratofortress and B-1 Lancer are operated by the Reserve 307th Bomb Wing but are based at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, respectively.
During the show, Lt. Gen. John Healy, commander of the Air Force Reserve Command, expressed gratitude for the Reserve's crucial role, stating, "Nearly every aspect of what you see today touches the Air Force Reserve in some way." The air show, he continued, couldn't have been as significant without Reserve support [1][2][3].
Beyond the Freedom Formation, HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters from the Reserve 920th Rescue Wing based at Patrick Space Force Base, Fla., demonstrated a search-and-rescue mission. An HC-130J from the same unit simulated refueling the helicopters in midair. A Reserve MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter from the 908th Flying Training Wing at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., also took part. Additionally, Global Strike Command boss Gen. Thomas Bussiere presided over an enlistment ceremony for 150 recruits [4].
"This is a great opportunity to . . . showcase what the Air Force and all the branches are about," commented Master Sgt. Bryant Guardia, a Reserve recruiter at the show [4]. "It is a good opportunity to engage and recruit the next generation of Airmen into our ranks."
[1] Air Force Global Strike Command. (2025, May 24). Spectacular seven-ship formation flies over Miami Beach for Hyundai Air and Sea Show. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/[2] USAF Reserve Command. (2025, May 24). Press release: USAF Reserve Command releases statement regarding Memorial Day Weekend flyover.[3] CNN. (2025, May 25). Breathtaking air show marks the start of Memorial Day weekend. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/us[4] USA Today. (2025, May 25). Hundreds of new Air Force recruits take the oath at Hyundai Air and Sea Show. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/news/military/airforce/stories/2025/05/25/hundreds-new-air-force-recruits-take-oath-hyundai-air-and-sea-show/3871826155/
- The B-2 Spirit, a stealth bomber, that participated in the Freedom Formation, originated from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.
- The Air Force Reserve Command played a crucial role in the Hyundai Air and Sea Show, with HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters from the Reserve 920th Rescue Wing demonstrating a search-and-rescue mission.
- The F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, who presented their own solo performance at the event, manned the F-22 fighter jet that was part of the Freedom Formation.
- The A-10 Thunderbolt II that was sent by Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, for the Freedom Formation, is an attack plane designed for close-air support and air-to-ground penetration missions.
- The Air Force and other branches showcased their capabilities during the Hyundai Air and Sea Show, with the aim of engaging and recruiting the next generation of service members into the aerospace industry and Air Force, particularly the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Space Force.
